Detectives from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch are warning local businesses and members of the community to be vigilant after an identified crime trend in counterfeit currency circulating, Queensland Police say.
Officers are investigating 57 incidents where counterfeit $50 and $100 notes have been used to purchase goods in areas including Southport, Biggera Waters, Robina, Surfers Paradise and Parkwood.
Offences have occurred in a range of different retail, service businesses and online website purchases.
Police are urging business owners and customer service employees to be mindful of people presenting large value notes for low value purchases.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dane Sheraton said this is a timely reminder for all customer service employees to check the quality of all $50 and $100 notes before giving change to a customer.
"Advice on how to identify counterfeit notes is available through the Reserve Bank of Australia website, but you should check notes for the security features including the coat of arms watermark, the clear plastic window is part of the note and not stuck on, and the Southern Cross stars look genuine and do not scratch off with moderate rubbing," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Sheraton said.
"The suspect currency appears real in photos. It is identified as counterfeit primarily through feel and identification of identical serial numbers.
More information on detecting counterfeit notes can be viewed on the Reserve Bank of Australia website: http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/assets/pdf/counterfeit-detection-guide.pdf.
Anyone who may have any information concerning the manufacturing or distribution of these notes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
